Skin rashes might be linked to coronavirus, doctors say

As the coronavirus pandemic evolves, so does our information about the respiratory illness, and doctors now say there may be a new, rare symptom: skin rashes.

Dermatologists who worked with coronavirus patients in Italy — one of the most severely affected nations — found 20% of 88 patients had a skin-related ailment, according to an early report they published, Prevention reported Saturday.

Like many other aspects of the illness, the rashes affected patients differently.

Most experienced patchy, red skin — or an erythematous rash — while others saw hives or chickenpox-like blisters manifest. For many, the rashes formed on the trunk of the body.

“There is a possibility that a patient with COVID-19 might initially present with a skin rash that can be misdiagnosed as another common disease. In addition, some of these patients are afebrile initially,” the study’s abstract reads.

As patients don’t have to be feverish to present the symptoms, the abstract noted doctors should consider the possibility someone with a rash has coronavirus “to prevent transmission.”

A Southampton, N.Y., infectious disease expert said he’s seen rashes “a lot” in coronavirus patients.

Though Dr. Rajeev Fernando said he’s most often found patients to have the patchy rash, others have been “diffused, or spread out, and other times it’s localized to one area,” as he told Prevention.

In order to further investigate how COVID-19 affects one’s skin, the American Academy of Dermatology has established the COVID-19 dermatology registry for doctors treating patients with coronavirus as well as for the patients themselves.

As an upper respiratory illness, it’s not completely surprising some with coronavirus are experiencing rashes, Dr. Joshua Zeichner, of Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City told the outlet, noting it happens with “many” similar viruses.

“Perhaps these are the result of our immune system reacting [to] the virus or the virus may have a direct effect on the skin itself,” he explained.

Having a rash doesn’t necessarily indicate coronavirus, but those who have a rash and a fever should contact their doctors as the latter “is a big sign of COVID-19,” said Fernando.

Other unexpected symptoms that have been linked to the illness include gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea.